Constitutional Convention

The MA Constitutional Convention has been scheduled for Sept. 14th. That's when they'll decide whether or not to put the gay marriage ban on the ballot for Nov. 6th. We all know that the majority should never be allowed to decide the rights of a minority. That's not what the Constitution - of the country or of any state - should be used for.

"But I don't live in Massachusetts! I hope it stays there for your sake, but I can't get married there, anyway, so why is it important to me that it stays legal?"

Well, because Massachusetts is a light of hope for people in other parts of the country! Also, if it's defeated here - that is, if gay marriage is banned here, too - other states may not be willing to fight because they will think that it would get defeated as it did here.

"So what happens if the ammendment is on the ballot?"

Then, we'll have to hope that people will vote in our favor. But it would be much better for us all if it didn't come to that.

"If the ammendment voted down at the ConCon, is it gone for good?"

Yes and no. This particular ammendment will die there. However, the 'bad guys' have another ammendment they want to propose that will take away both civil unions and gay marriage.

"Why not civil unions?"

There are no federal laws regarding civil unions and no states have to recognize civil unions from other states. While you'd still have the state benefits like inheritance and hospital visiting rights, you would still not be married in the eyes of the country.

Besides, separate is never equal.

"So what can I do?"

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Go to www.massequality.org. There, you can send letters to your legislators if you're in MA or you can send a letter to the attorney general of Massachusetts. Or, you can send letters to other legislators. You can also forward the information there to your friends and loved ones, and you can make donations if you want.

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